The cost of obtaining a captain’s license varies based on the license type and requirements.
Course Fees
- OUPV 6-Pack License cost range from $650 to $900
- Master License – 500$ to 800$ depending on the course provider
Apart from above costs as required by USCG we need to get physical examination, TWIC card and First Aid /CPR certification and Application fee.
- Physical Examination: 75$ to 100$
- TWIC Card (Background Check) $125
- CPR Certification/ First Aid : $20 or you can get this free as well from many local organizations.
- Application Fee: $100 application fee + $45 issuance fee.
Overall, the total investment to get captain’s license can start around $850 and up depending on the specific courses and additional requirements you choose.
You need a US Coast Guide license (OUPV or Master) if you are:
Carrying passenger for hire (boat size and passenger count does not matter) if you are accepting money, tips, barter etc., from passenger you must have a Captains license, this applies on the Great lakes, inland waters and federal waters.
Operating commercial vessel if you are towing, ferrying, sightseeing, charter fishing require a licensed captain even without paying passengers. for vessels inspected and certificated to carry more than 6 paying passengers , you need a Masters license of the appropriate tonnage
You do not need a captains license, if you are renting or borrowing a boat for personal use only but you still must comply with state boater-education requirements. check state specific requirements
The U.S. Coast Guard issues two main types of professional captain’s licenses for recreational mariners: the Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) or “six-pack” license, and the Master’s license, which comes in 25-, 50-, 100-, and 200-Ton varieties. The OUPV license allows you to carry up to six paying passengers on uninspected vessels up to 100 gross tons. The Master’s license enables operation of both inspected and uninspected vessels, with the ability to carry seven or more paying passengers.